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Juan C. Sanchez-Arias, MD, PhD
Trained as medical doctor and neuroscientist, I use my expertise in neurobiology, computational biology, experimental design, and data analytics to magnify the impact of BenchSci’s platform and mission to empower scientists to improve the speed and quality of preclinical research with the most advanced biomedical AI.
Industry Experience
Scientist II, Data Extraction
BenchSci
Remote
Current - 2022
- Envision and evaluate features to improve BenchSci’s platform and future roadmap using scientific insights, user requirements, and data-driven decision-making.
- Scope and extract scientific insights from internal and external data using BenchSi’s platform to provide disproportionate value to scientists working in drug development programs at the top global pharmaceutical companies.
- Work in collaboration with Data Extraction Scientists to improve the data processing cycle within BenchSci’s platform.
- Work in collaboration with Product and Engineering teams to magnify the impact and applications of BenchSci’s platform.
- Work in collaboration with Commercial and Marketing teams to capture scientists’ requirements, support commercial engagements, and deliver transformative insights to scientists working at BenchSci’s key accounts partners.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience
University of Victoria - Division of Medical Sciences
Victoria, BC, Canada
2020 - 2015
- Dissertation: Pannexin 1 regulates dendritic spine formation.
Doctor of Medicine (Médico y Cirujano)
Universidad del Valle - School of Medicine
Cali, Valle, Colombia
2014 - 2007
- Pre-Diploma Rotatory Internship: Hospital Universitario del Valle ESE ‑ Universidad del Valle. Cali, Valle. Colombia.
- Professional elective: Neurosurgery and Neurocritical Care. Department of Neurosurgery. Hospital Universitario del Valle ESE ‑ Universidad del Valle. Cali, Valle. Colombia.
- Observership: Functional Neurosurgery. Department of Neurosurgery. University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. Chicago, IL. USA.
Research Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow - Michael Smith Health Research BC Awardee
Division of Medical Sciences
University of Victoria
2022 - 2020
- Area of study: Inherited arrhythmias, community genetics, bioinformatics, ion channel biology, calcium homeostasis in cardiomyocytes.
- Roles: Project and data management, research execution, presentation of results, and grant and research writing.
- Techniques: RNA seq and microarray gene expression analysis using R and bioconductor tools (DESeq2, oligo, limma).
- Analysis of protein-protein interaction networks and pathway enrichment analysis using R and Cytoscape.
- Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy of embryonic and adult mouse heart sections.
Graduate Research Assistant
Division of Medical Sciences
University of Victoria
2020 - 2015
- Area of study: Ion and metabolite channels, developmental neurobiology, channel trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics, neural stem cells, advanced microscopy.
- Roles: Project and data management, research execution, presentation of results, and grant and research writing.
- Techniques: Fixed and live-cell fluorescence microscopy of cultured neurons. Immunocytochemistry. Super-resolution microscopy.
- Analysis of calcium imaging data from cultured neurons using MATLAB.
Research Medical Intern
Centro de Estudios Cerebrales
Universidad del Valle
2014 - 2013
- Area of study: functional neuroanatomy, cerebral cortex organization, traumatic brain injury, stroke, neuroprotection.
- Roles: Support and execution of experimental research on traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke in rats.
- Techniques: Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy of rat brain sections.
Undergraduate Medical Researcher
School of Public Health
Universidad del Valle
2011 - 2010
- Area of study: Cardiovascular risk health, spinal cord injury, rehabilitation medicine, public health.
- Roles: Project management, data management with Epi Info, research execution, grant and research writing, and presentation of results to stakeholders.
- Supported clinical assessment of patients in the spinal cord injury clinic.
Leadership Philosophy: By borrowing traits from multiple lideadership styles, I center my leadership phylosophy around 4 core areas: integrity & communication, interdisciplinarity & collaboration, advancement & growth mindset, and authenticity & transparency. I am a firm believer that integrating diverse perspectives and strengths towards common goals enable teams to challenge themselves and hit achievements above their weight. Hence, I strive to foster a safe and collaborative environment for me and those around me.
Service & Leadership
Innovation Lab
Hacker - Builder
Island Health
Current - 2023
- Working in collaboration with the Innovation Lab to materialize a proposal to mitigate PJ Paralysis in Island Health affiliated institutions by exploiting small activity sensors and data analytics, along with educational programs to healthcare providers, patients, and patients’ families.
- Third Place in Code Hack 2023
Who Can Become a Scientist?
Co-founder and Co-organizer
University of Victoria
2023 - 2021
- “Who can become a scientist?” is a workshop for high school students that discusses equity, diversity, and inclusion issues in STEMM.
- It reflects on the stereotypical image of scientists and the importance of leveraging support from role models and mentors to increase diversity in STEMM.
Let’s Talk Science
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC, Canada
2022 - 2018
- Volunteer for public audience presentations and high school science tours.
CIHR Brain Bee
Victoria Chapter
Victoria, BC, Canada
2022 - 2017
- Organize and coordinate social media outlets for the Victoria Brain Bee. Mentored high school students from the Greater Victoria Area who participated in the Brain Bee competition.
- Secured funding to sponsor Victoria Brain Bee winners traveling to the CIHR National Brain Bee.
Neuroscience Graduate Student Association (NGSA)
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC, Canada
2020 - 2017
- Student Representative ‑ Division of Medical Sciences 2017‑2018.
- Contributed to organizing the Neuroscience Graduate Program Kick‑Off. Liaised and recruited keynote speakers for seminar lectures.